Travel with the Whitakers

  We’re going to Disney World! I know, we were there in July, which wasn’t that long ago, but EVERY SINGLE trip we take to Disney is special and magical. We love Disney food, and we love experiencing as much of it as we can – so we like to talk as a family about what we’re going to eat on our trips. This is especially true when it comes to snacks. We love Disney snacks. On this trip we’re heading to my favorite of the four theme parks, Epcot! The last time I was at Epcot was during my work trip, and the time before that was just with the kids. This time, we’re so happy that Howard is able to go with us! When the kids and I took our quick trip in July we enjoyed a day at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. We took a lunchbox with containers, and brought home a little bit of some of the dishes we tried so that Howard could try them as well. This time, though, he’ll get to try them fresh! So, what are we planning on sampling at the Food and Wine Festival this time?    

  We’re going to Universal Studios Orlando in a couple of weeks, and we’re starting to prepare. What are we doing to get ready for our trip? Back in June, as part of our week-long trip to Florida, we went to Universal Studios for part of our last full day in Orlando. Before moving to South Carolina, we purchased the Universal Freedom Pass (a military annual pass for Universal Studios Orlando), because none of us had ever been, and we wanted to check it out. We picked the Freedom Pass because it was almost the same in price as getting a one-day park-to-park ticket for the four of us. Our experience on that June day was not a magical one, but it involved LOTS of waiting, and none of that waiting was even to get on a ride. Now back to the present time, we’re planning our next short trip to Orlando, mostly to get the first use of our Disney World Annual Passes! But we’re also going to give Universal Studios another try. We’re optimistic for this trip. What’s different from the last

I f you know us, you know that we LOVE a good road trip. Well, we just got back from spending a week back in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On the way up to Pennsylvania from South Carolina we stopped at the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. It rained for about seven hours of the nine-hour drive, including while we were at the bridge. It was nice to get out of the car for a little bit and to stretch our legs. The bridge looked really cool with the fog as well. After we left the bridge we ate our lunch in the car and finished the drive to my parents’ house! That’s where the fun really started. While we were in Pittsburgh, we went to Fall Run Park to see the waterfall. The waterfall was REALLY flowing thanks to the rain the day before we saw it. It was nice to get out for a little hike, too. The kids spent A LOT of time playing in the treehouse and the sandbox. On one day alone Christian spent four hours playing in the sandbox. We also we to see Hell’s Hollow F